Chapter 344: Gervas

No need for explanation—the iconic flex moment is about to arrive.

Since Gervas came to help, he must find a way to drive away these noble sons.

Using force would clearly be inappropriate.

So, it must be a matter of humiliating them publicly until they leave in shame.

As previously stated, his return as a former elite soldier was not for show.

He knew exactly the tactics these noble sons would employ once they turned hostile toward him.

That was to crush him with their status and material superiority.

So, turning their own tactics against them was the greatest humiliation possible.

And the situation unfolded exactly as he predicted!

Now, the final phase had finally arrived!

So exciting!

No wonder former elite soldiers never tired of flexing and humiliating their rivals—this feeling was simply too satisfying!

Gervas felt he could barely wait.

Scarlett, Doyle, and the noble sons still had no idea Gervas was treating them as NPCs in his elite soldier fantasy.

When they saw Gervas's subordinates arrive, with several large boxes placed near the back entrance, they immediately guessed what Gervas intended to do next.

Yet no one could believe this minor noble had the audacity to be so reckless.

Although the gifts they had just presented weren't especially expensive, none were within the easy reach of an ordinary minor noble.

A mere viscount dared to outdo them in gift-giving?

Thinking of this, Scarlett suddenly giggled, "Viscount Gervas, did you also prepare a gift for Catherine?"

"And since you just mocked Maurice and the others for their cheap gifts, yours must be far more precious, right?"

Here it comes!

She's here!

This tactic—perfect!

Gervas no longer delayed.

"Yes, Miss Scarlett, my gift is certainly far more precious than theirs!"

"To be honest, I was somewhat surprised when I heard their titles—they're quite prominent even within the kingdom!"

"But after seeing the gifts they presented to Catherine, I found them shockingly stingy!"

"After all, those ordinary gifts are utterly unworthy of their status—and completely unsuitable for Catherine!"

"You…" Maurice and the others instantly turned red with rage.

"Gentlemen, I know you're angry and think I'm slandering you. If so, then let you see the gift this humble viscount offers Catherine!"

Gervas cut off their retorts at the perfect moment and gestured again.

Migen responded and waved to the soldiers at the entrance.

Soon, two guards carried a large barrel into the hall.

The barrel was sizable; as they moved it, the sound of sloshing water could be heard.

Everyone froze—what was this?

"Viscount Gervas, you didn't go to the sea and catch a few fish, did you?" Scarlett couldn't hold back.

"No, not fish—clams!"

"Clams?"

As Scarlett stared in confusion, Gervas lifted the lid of the barrel—the truth was revealed.

"This…"

Inside the barrel, three clams, each half a meter in diameter, came into view.

Due to the barrel's limited width, all three clams were stacked atop one another like a human pyramid.

Of course, size was only part of it—the most astonishing detail was the faint blue glow emanating from their shells.

"This… this is a magic clam?" Scarlett gasped in disbelief.

Though she'd seen many magic pearls, live magic clams were rarely encountered.

Mainly because they were scarce and difficult to preserve—usually processed immediately after being hauled ashore.

"It seems Miss Scarlett has considerable knowledge. Correct—these three are magic clams, and specifically, Water-Condensing Pearl clams!"

"Water-Condensing Pearl clams? With clams this large, wouldn't the pearls they produce exceed the size of basic pearls?"

Holy shit!

This woman—is she playing along with me?

Gervas suddenly found this woman far less annoying than before.

"Correct. If Dent's Water-Condensing Pearl was worth six or seven gold coins, mine is worth at least twenty to thirty, given its size—equivalent to two pigeon eggs!"

Dent's face turned ashen. "Hmph, how do we know yours are Water-Condensing Pearl clams? What if they're some other kind?"

Classic stubborn denial—perfectly aligned with the elite soldier plot progression.

So Gervas had been waiting for this.

He gestured to Migen, who immediately handed him a small wooden box the size of a palm.

When opened, a blue-glowing Water-Condensing Pearl, the size of a duck egg, appeared before them.

"Whoa!"

The hall fell utterly silent; Scarlett's eyes blazed with unmistakable longing.

A magic pearl the size of a chicken egg was rare enough—this one was duck-egg-sized, and a Water-Condensing Pearl at that!

"Catherine, this is for you!" Gervas handed it to her without hesitation.

Catherine blinked, looking at Gervas.

Gervas winked at her; she instantly understood—they were still acting. "Thank you, Gervas!"

With those words, Catherine took the gift with her own hands.

This gesture and her gentle thanks struck Maurice and Dent like a brutal blow.

Especially Dent—his two prized Water-Condensing Pearls were utterly crushed.

"Take these three magic clams to the head chef. Have him prepare them while still fresh, so your count may taste fresh magic clam meat."

"Yes, Lord Gervas!"

The servants of Violet Castle dared not delay—they immediately carried the barrel away.

"Migen, next!"

Of course, Gervas's gifts weren't over yet.

"More?"

Everyone's expressions shifted again.

"Yes, my lord!"

Migen responded and waved again toward the entrance.

Gervas's second gift was a large wooden crate.

As the crate was set down, faint rustling sounds emerged from within.

Baa!

And then, actual bleating sounds.

"Huh? Sheep?"

Everyone froze—Gervas had brought sheep into the castle.

He didn't care about dirt…

As everyone stared in confusion, Gervas opened the crate lid.

Wait!

Why are these sheep black?

"Strange—why are these sheep so ugly?" Scarlett, clearly a beauty-obsessed type, immediately found the pitch-black sheep inside the crate aesthetically offensive!

"This… could these be Fiery Sheep?!" Fortunately, Doyle, beside her, recognized them.

"Fiery Sheep? Cousin Doyle, the ones Grandfather loves to wear wool from?" Scarlett's disdain vanished instantly.

Though the Hernade family resided in the Eastern Frontier, they were at its northernmost edge, barely a step from the Northern Frontier.

Thus, during each harsh winter, the Hernade Duchy endured bitterly cold seasons.

In such seasons, warm clothing was indispensable.

Hence, the wool of Fiery Sheep was extremely renowned across the Northern Frontier.